Born in West Ham during 1889, Harry Jordan was the foster son of Richard & Sarah Whybrow of South Woodford. In 1891 the Whybrows with their children Lucy (18) (School Teacher), James (14) (Poulterers Assistant) and Claude (4) were living at 6 Derby Villas, Derby Road, South Woodford. It is thought that in 1891, Henry Jordan was the young boarder with the Sayers family at 15 York Road, East Ham.
1901: In this census James is not recorded at home, and the family were at “8 Derby Road”. They had been joined by two “Boarders” - Henry Jordan (11) and Percy Godbolt (6) who had also been born in West Ham.
1911: Aged 20, Harry Jordan had become a Commercial Clerk with India Merchants, and was officially the foster son of Richard (69) (Lamp Lighter with the Gas Light and Coke Co.) and Sarah Whybrow (73) (Chapel Keeper - Wesleyan), living at 8 Derby Road Villas, Derby Road. Percy Godbolt was also adopted and similarly worked as a Clerk for India Merchants. Also resident were Lucy and Claude Whybrow, the latter being employed as a House Painter.
On his death, the Woodford Times noted Harry had excellent punctuality, and achieved perfect attendance during his 10 years at Churchfields School, for which he had been awarded medals. He was a Sunday School Teacher at Derby Road Methodist Church and Assistant Scoutmaster of 9th Troop. He promoted a Lodge of Good Templars for Juniors and a Junior Tent of the Order of Rechabites. It was said that his Christian education at the Methodist Church enabled him to live a true and upright life. Perhaps because of his own background, he was committed to works and activities involving young people.
He volunteered for the Army in November 1915 and was sent to France in March1916. His Battalion was camped at Albert on 09-07-16, and subject to heavy shelling. One shell struck a dump of 50,000 hand grenades, and the resulting explosion killed one man, wounding one officer and two other ranks. The Battalion was moved forward on 10th July to occupy trenches in the La Boiselle area of the Somme. Harry Jordan was “Killed in Action during an advance on 10th July 1915”.
His entry in the War Graves records suggests he had been subsequently adopted by the Whybrows daughter Lucy A. B. Whybrow, who was then living at 30 Derby Road.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Regimental History